Loran Lewis: Why I’m Taking on the Manchester Marathon to Support LDM
By Loran Lewis, CEO
I have been involved in community sport since I was 16 — and during that time I have seen the huge power sport has to change lives, inspire, and provide meaningful opportunities for those where other options were scarce. Now at 34, I am in the privileged position where I can be the steering rod to make meaningful change in our community through sport.
LDM has grown year in, year out since its inception and at times has been a victim of its own success, with the organisation’s infrastructure struggling to match the demand placed upon it. This has now all changed. Let’s Do More CIO in 2025 is an organisation with strong foundations and even stronger ambitions to be a serious player in the community sport landscape for years to come — however, this comes at a cost.
The funding landscape for community organisations is on its knees. Increasingly, there is a demand to do more for less, which impacts younger, growing organisations the hardest. That’s why we are delighted to now be able to utilise JustGiving as a way for those who believe in our work to support us in the most seamless way possible. This isn’t just about donations — it’s about joining a movement that believes every young person deserves the chance to thrive, no matter their background or circumstances.
I am always up for a challenge. LDM itself was started on the notion of ‘challenge’ — back in 2017 I ran 401 days at 6am every single morning to prove that consistency, resilience, and discipline can build something special. The video receipts are in the archives and will be released upon my retirement! What it did teach me, however, is that there are not many things I am not willing to do in pursuit of a goal.
Running a marathon will be a huge challenge, but it is one I am incredibly excited to take on. I am also pleased that my good friend and LDM trustee, Karim Ibrahim, will be joining me on this journey.
This marathon is also personal. In 2023, I lost my mum, Loray Brown, suddenly and unexpectedly. She was my biggest influence and supporter, always encouraging me to aim higher and invest in myself. The values she lived by — education, resilience, and compassion — are the same values that LDM is built on today. Running this marathon is my way of honouring her legacy, while raising vital funds to keep changing the lives of young people in Leeds.
What Your Support Will Fund
Every pound raised will go directly into our programmes at LDM. Here’s what your donation could help us achieve:
£10 – covers a young person’s place at a community session for a week.
£25 – helps us provide safe spaces and trained coaches to support vulnerable young people.
£50 – contributes to leadership training, giving young people the skills to become coaches, referees, and mentors.
£100+ – helps us expand into new areas, reaching more young people with opportunities where they are needed most.
No matter the size, every donation is a step towards a brighter future for our young people.
Join the Journey
I plan to put out weekly updates on my social media (I much rather the marathon!) with the goal of raising as much money as possible for this extremely worthy cause.
You can support us directly through our JustGiving page here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/ldmmarathon
Wish me luck — and if you can, support the journey.